The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-11-10
A BOY WHO SMOKED.
This Story Tells How He Game to
Quit It.


d Victor Hugo's 'The Man Who
laughs" when they dubbed one of
their number The Boy Who Smokes"
BE came among them at the beginning
dthe year. a stranger. With admir-
ng wonder, they saw him light cigar
stss at recess. and puff real, big, brown
dgars on Saturday afternoons. and so
aye him his title. After a time, he
Richard Gordon-was called Gordon.
q Charlie was called Hamilton, and
Joe, Williams. But outside of his par
icular circle of friends, he retained the
Distinction of being 1.-The Boy Who
smokes.
One Saturday, after a short game of
ball on the upper green, Gordon and
Charlie sauntered off together. They
we're great friends, but unlike in char
scssr, as great friends are apt to be.
Charlie was the most popular boy in
Shool Gordon was at first inclined to
miealous, but soon yielded to his un-
hiliDg good-humor and the fascination
Of certain stumpy pencil which traced
ma well-rubbed notebook wonderful
hees, beautiful, ridiculous, horrible, or
more interesting still, ones own, in
perfect likeness, with any sort of ex-
PRESTON desired.
Lets 60 up to the grove; want to
lake smoke, and ] have to be rather
careful nowadays because Aunt Kate
nat our house." said Gordon. II think
me has told mother that l smoke"
walnut Grove" sloped gently to
he edge of beautiful, quiet lake.
which lay blue and sparkling in the
aernoon sunshine; and presently the
boys were seated on a fiat, lichen-
covered rock, which large old stump
lone side had made into a comforta-
as hI2h.backed bench. Gordon drew
aelgM from his pocket and lighted it.
YIN a grand air, sighing. as he looked
Hproachfully at Charlie: II do wish
g9u would smoke, Ham," (short for
aamilton).
@Bah!' replied Charlie, skipping a
sone. "One, two, three, four, five,
u-seven! Could you do thar"
shile.n '
j. frooably--it isn't that: my ejacula-
sn' slr' had a deeper meaning, but
or feeble mind is doubtless unable to
mspit Ahem!'
Tour father .smokes!'' persisted
"luon' Watching, through the delicate
as Wreaths, 3 crow sailing over a dis
Les; and I've heard him say forty
saes that he wished he had never be-
$. ! shouldn't feel particularly
ssaa to have to say what he did. to
''ler this morning." And Charlie,
a penltent attitude and a tone of
@p humility, quoted; ".Excuse me,
s... usar' but tobacco and dyspepsia go
slore breakfast
soraon laughed; then he said: 20
s s.aws and after moment: "But it
such social habit,'
2 IS chewing gum,'' returned
s.;.' s,ls' "A lot Of fellows would look
,s s,0ls, wouldn't they? passing around
m. s y spruce: DO take one my dear
l. Ss.-superior quality-fresh from
caa,N esN OF Maine-splendid flavor"
f% fuon o said 80 pshawr' again.
s.ss - 0on't know anything about it:
81 % effect from smoking-a-a
asso y. !, soothing!"
.,,s.s sne ), effect have Observed" re-
N Cnarlie dryly, sis what you
;O'alng, believe I don't care to
A,r,;.,n Aon gave a quick look into
kp,s;a.s lace, but it was calm and ex-
s;.0aless; and he went on: "The
- : ]. nam, you can't make the right
s0,r :. man unless you smoke. It's
y % smoke
se.,r Nei. ! believe / know some
h,s.s sscent - men who don't smoke;
leo,anul anul1chcock. Judge Morris, and
a,el;s Tor instance. As to the
las,. 'sss Of it you may feel it all, but
Nh. say You don't look verv manly
s'ound trees and the corners of